Production, Distribution, Marketing and Exhibition

Production

Pre-production stage

• Refers to the tasks undertaken before production begins.
• for small video companies it could mean everything that happens before shooting begins e.g. Meeting with the client, storyboarding etc..

For feature films it is more specific

• Location scouting
• Special effects identification and preparation
• Production schedule
• Set construction
• Script locking (semi finalisation of the script)
• script read through with cast, director and other interested parties.

Production

Refers to part of the process in which footage is recorded. Also known as principal photography.

• In feature films, the production stage s the point at which it is no longer financially viable to cancel the project - it is almost always cheaper to continue.
• Principal is to record all required shots.

Post-Production

• Mainly editing takes place. The 'retouching'.
• Editing video footage, soundtrack and adding sound effects.
• Adding titles and graphics.
• Colour correction.
• Special effects.
• Re-shooting scenes(if necessary).

Distribution

The idea of the movie is used and they create an outline to promote interest in idea, then a studio or independent investor decides to purchase rights to the film. People are brought together to make the film and then is completed and sent to the studio. The studio makes the licensing agreement with a distribution company who then determine how many copies of the film to make. They then show the movie to prospective buyers representing theatres. The buyers negotiate terms and lease agreement.

Then the prints are sent to the theatres a few days before the opening day. The movie is shown for a specific number of weeks. Then the customers (us) buy tickets to see the movie. At the end of the engagement the theatre sends the print back to the distribution company and makes payment on the lease agreement.

Marketing

• The red carpet premier.
• Advertising on TV's, billboards and magazines. Also online trailers.
• Actors featured may endorse a product to allow people to recognise.

Exhibition

We can engage with films through the internet, which are mainly pirated copies, but companies like 'Netflix' and 'Lovefilm' have made hit blockbusters available to us for a fixed price monthly so the customer can enjoy top movies from years ago. Cinemas always release new films every week. After a few years the movies are shown on TV or can be bought on Sky Box Office or on DVD after a few weeks or months.  Private screenings before the film are shown to the public.